WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression
Systemic effects of topical corticosteroids may include
reversible HPA axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome,
hyperglycemia, and glucosuria.
Studies conducted in pediatric subjects demonstrated
reversible HPA axis suppression after use of Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) . Pediatric
patients may be more susceptible than adults to systemic toxicity from
equivalent doses of Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) due to their larger skin
surface-to-body-mass ratios [see Use in Specific Populations].
Patients applying a topical corticosteroid to a large
surface area or to areas under occlusion should be considered for periodic
evaluation of the HPA axis. This may be done by using cosyntropin (ACTH1-24)
stimulation testing (CST).
If HPA axis suppression is noted, the frequency of
application should be reduced or the drug should be withdrawn, or a less potent
corticosteroid should be substituted. Signs and symptoms of glucocorticosteroid
insufficiency may occur, requiring supplemental systemic corticosteroids.
Concomitant Skin Infections
If skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate
antifungal, antibacterial or antiviral agent should be used. If a favorable
response does not occur promptly, use of Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) should be
discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.
Skin Irritation
Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) may cause local skin adverse reactions [see
ADVERSE REACTIONS].
If irritation develops, Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) should be
discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. Allergic contact dermatitis
with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing a failure to heal rather
than noticing a clinical exacerbation. Such an observation should be
corroborated with appropriate patch testing.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
No studies were conducted to determine the
photoco-carcinogenic or dermal carcinogenic potential of Locoid Lipocream.
Hydrocortisone butyrate revealed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic potential
based on the results of two in vitro genotoxicity tests (Ames test and L5178Y/TK+
mouse lymphoma assay) and one in vivo genotoxicity test (mouse micronucleus
assay).
No evidence of impairment of fertility or effect on mating
performance was observed in a fertility and general reproductive performance
study conducted in male and female rats at subcutaneous doses up to and
including 1.8 mg/kg/day (0.7X MTHD). Mild effects on maternal animals, such as
reduced food consumption and a subsequent reduction in body weight gain, were
seen at doses ≥ 0.6 mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD).
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled
studies in pregnant women. Therefore, Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) should be used during
pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the
fetus. Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals
when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids
have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.
Note: The animal multiples of human exposure
calculations in this label were based on body surface area comparisons for an
adult (i.e., mg/m²/day dose comparisons) assuming 100% human percutaneous absorption of a maximum topical human dose (MTHD) for hydrocortisone butyrate cream
(25 g).
Systemic embryofetal development studies were conducted in
rats and rabbits. Subcutaneous doses of 0.6, 1.8 and 5.4 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rats during gestation days 6 – 17. In the presence of maternal toxicity, fetal effects
noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day (2X MTHD) included an increased incidence of
ossification variations and unossified sternebra. No treatment related effects
on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were noted at doses of 5.4 mg/kg/day
and 1.8 mg/kg/day, respectively (2X MTHD and 0.7X MTHD, respectively).
Subcutaneous doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rabbits during
gestation days 7 – 20. An increased incidence of abortion was noted at 0.3
mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD). In the absence of maternal toxicity, a dose dependent
decrease in fetal body weight was noted at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg/day (0.1X
MTHD). Additional indicators of embyrofetal toxicity (reduction in litter size,
decreased number of viable fetuses, increased post-implantation loss) were
noted at doses ≥ 0.2 mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD). Additional fetal effects noted
in this study included delayed ossification noted at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg/day
and an increased incidence of fetal malformations (primarily skeletal
malformations) noted at doses ≥ 0.2 mg/kg/day. A dose at which no
treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity were
observed was not established in this study.
Additional systemic embryofetal development studies were
conducted in rats and mice. Subcutaneous doses of 0.1 and 9 mg/kg/day
hydrocortisone butyrate were administered to pregnant female rats during
gestation days 9 – 15. In the presence of maternal toxicity, an increase in
fetal deaths and fetal resorptions and an increase in the number of
ossifications in caudal vertebrae were noted at a dose of 9 mg/kg/day (3X
MTHD). No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity
were noted at 0.1 mg/kg/day (0.1X MTHD).
Subcutaneous doses of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/day hydrocortisone
butyrate were administered to pregnant female mice during gestation days 7 –
13. In the absence of maternal toxicity, an increased number of cervical ribs
and one fetus with clubbed legs were noted at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (0.2X
MTHD). No treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity
were noted at doses of 1 and 0.2 mg/kg/day, respectively (0.2X MTHD and 0.1X
MTHD, respectively).
No topical embryofetal development studies were conducted
with hydrocortisone butyrate cream. However, topical embryofetal development
studies were conducted in rats and rabbits with a hydrocortisone butyrate ointment
formulation. Topical doses of 1% and 10% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment were
administered to pregnant female rats during gestation days 6 – 15 or pregnant
female rabbits during gestation days 6 – 18. A dose-dependent increase in fetal
resorptions was noted in rabbits (0.2 – 2X MTHD) and fetal resorptions were
noted in rats at the 10% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment dose (80X MTHD). No
treatment related effects on embyrofetal toxicity were noted at the 1%
hydrocortisone butyrate ointment dose in rats (8 MTHD). A dose at which no
treatment related effects on embryofetal toxicity were observed in rabbits
after topical administration of hydrocortisone butyrate ointment was not
established in this study. No treatment related effects on teratogenicity were noted
at a dose of 10% hydrocortisone butyrate ointment in rats or rabbits (80X MTHD
and 2X MTHD, respectively).
A peri- and post-natal development study was conducted in
rats. Subcutaneous doses of 0.6, 1.8 and 5.4 mg/kg/day hydrocortisone butyrate
were administered to pregnant female rats from gestation day 6 – lactation day
20. In the presence of maternal toxicity, a dose dependent decrease in fetal
weight was noted at doses ≥ 1.8 mg/kg/day (0.7X MTHD). No treatment
related effects on fetal toxicity were noted at 0.6 mg/kg/day (0.2X MTHD). A
delay in sexual maturation was noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day (2X MTHD). No treatment
related effects on sexual maturation were noted at 1.8 mg/kg/day. No treatment
related effects on behavioral development or subsequent reproductive
performance were noted at 5.4 mg/kg/day.
Nursing Mothers
Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human
milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid
production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical
administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic
absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs
are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate)
is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below 3 months of
age have not been established.
Because of higher skin surface-to-body-mass ratios,
pediatric patients are at a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression
when they are treated with topical corticosteroids. They are therefore also at
a greater risk of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of
treatment and of Cushing's syndrome while on treatment.
Eighty-six (86) pediatric subjects (between 5 months and 18
years of age) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis affecting at least 25%
of body surface area (BSA) treated with Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) three times daily for up
to 4 weeks were assessed for HPA axis suppression in two separate studies. The
disease severity (moderate to severe atopic dermatitis) and the dosing regimen
(three times daily) in these HPA axis studies were different from the subject
population (mild to moderate atopic dermatitis) and the dosing regimen (two
times daily) for which Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) is indicated in this population. Five
of the 82 evaluable subjects (6.1%) demonstrated evidence of suppression, where
the criterion for defining HPA axis suppression was a serum cortisol level of
less than or equal to 18 micrograms per deciliter after cosyntropin
stimulation. Suppressed subjects ranged in age from 5 months to 16 years and,
at the time of enrollment, had 25% to 95% BSA involvement. These subjects did
not demonstrate any clinical signs or symptoms despite evidence of HPA axis
suppression. At the first follow up visit, approximately one month after the
conclusion of treatment, cosyntropin stimulation results of all subjects had
returned to normal, with the exception of one subject. This last subject
recovered adrenal function by 65 days post-treatment.
Cushing's syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed
weight gain, and intracranial hypertension have also been reported in pediatric
patients receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal
suppression in pediatric patients include low plasma cortisol levels to an
absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial
hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate) did not include
sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they
respond differently from younger subjects.